The League of Illinois Bicyclists and Active Transportation Alliance are partnering with Saris Cycling Group to launch a poster contest to get fifth graders to think about the benefits of the bicycle. The contest is asking fifth grade students to create a poster around the theme “Bicycling takes me places!” The purpose of the contest is to promote youth riding bicycles as a way to lead an active lifestyle.

One winner will be selected from each state to receive a bike, bike light and helmet. One national winner will win a trip to the 2013 National Bike Summit in Washington DC and their school will receive bicycle parking to park twenty bikes and a bike/walk tracking system called The Hub.

Last year, more than 40 schools participated in the contest. Giselle Lechuga, from Otter Creek Elementary School in Elgin, was the first place winner in the state competition. Emilena Fontanez, from Elmwood Elementary School in Elmwood Park, was the second place winner and Meghan Quinn, from Jefferson School in Elmhurst, was the third place winner in the state competition. View all of the school winners’ posters, and learn more about the 2011 contest, here.

“The contest provides a fun activity to get students excited about learning and provides teachers a creative way to introduce healthy living concepts,” said SCG Advocacy Coordinator Heather Fortune. “This is a great way to encourage fifth graders to simply think about the places a bike can take them, for fun or for transportation.”

Visit http://www.bikelib.org/2012/01/deadline-for-bicycling-poster-contest-march-1/ to learn more about the poster contest, view the informational sheet and contest details. Each submitted poster must have an entry form. For more information, contact Gina Kenny at gina@bikelib.org or (708) 334-2244.